TNAG-0911-FCO40-1121-Policy-on-housing-and-resettlement-in-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 137

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After this, as the series of action taken had all come to naught,

the boat people became disortanized. It is only several months later that they took up action again.

1978

3rd April

One hundred families of the boat people grouped together again and addressed a letter to the Marine Department and the Housing Department, asking the government to resettle them as soon as possible.

25th April

As there was no reply, a second letter was forwarded. Still, no reply.

7th May

Press Conference, "Come the typhoon season, broken are our boats, resettle us, quick."

17th May

Petition to the Housing Department.

6th June

Petition to the Marine Department to have all the boats examined.

6th Aug

Mass rally by boat people in which they reiterated their two demands: (1) The government should devise a plan to resettle them.

(2) To house at once those who are in danger.

11th Aug

A group of representatives delivered a letter to the Housing Department reiterating their demands

1st Sept

The representatives held talks with officials of the Housing Department. The officials repeated the government's established policy and refused resttlement except to those who are in danger.

10th Sept

Ten voluntary bodies concerned with the living conditions of the boat people held a conference in which more than 300 took part. The conference expressed support for the boat people and reiterated the point that the governemtn should devise plan to resettle the boat people.

6th Oct

The boat people representatives together with members of supporting bodies went to discuss the problem with Sir Kenneth, a member of the Legislative Council and the Executive Coucil, after which, yet another petition to the Chief Secretariat.

5th Nov

Second boat people mass rally. Another reiteration of their demand.

17Dec

Press conference to reply allegations made by the gvernment that the boat people were illegal refugges.

24th Dec

More than 200 boat people petitioned to the Chief Secretariat but were told to dismiss by the police.

7th Jan

Try to petition again. Stopped and arrested by police while still on their way. All the time the boat people had remained in the two buses they had hired for transport. The boat people and several social workers were later charged to have taken part in illegal assmebly.

12th Jan

30 people representing 13 organizations protested tothe governor against the mass arrest. They demanded the governemnt to drop any charge against the 76 people with a 'guaranttee that no similar incident would take place in future. They urged the government to arrage for the Yaumati boat residents to move to land and stated that it is the people's right to peacefully petition.